Rohit Sharma’s Comeback Delayed as MI Faces Tough Times
Rohit Sharma, the star player for Mumbai Indians, is still unable to play, missing his fourth match in a row during IPL 2026. Fans were excited to see him in action against Sunrisers Hyderabad, but they will have to wait a bit longer.
There had been positive signs recently, as Rohit was seen practicing in the nets ahead of his team’s matches. However, MI captain Hardik Pandya shared at the toss that Rohit isn’t quite ready to return.
“Rohit’s still going to take a couple more games. He’s been trying hard, but he’s not at the level he wants to be, so he’s not available for us,” Hardik stated.
This news is disappointing for fans who were hoping for a return, especially after Rohit began training with the team again recently.
Why Is Rohit Sharma Not Playing?
Rohit has been sidelined since April 12 due to a hamstring injury he sustained during a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He has been working closely with the medical team to recover, but the process has taken longer than anticipated. The fact that he is not yet match-ready, even after training, raises concerns about the severity of his injury.
In the meantime, MI has struggled to find a consistent opening partnership. Players like Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, and Danish Malewar have been tried out, but none have firmly secured the position. Malewar especially has had a tough time, scoring just 2 and 0 in his last two matches, demonstrating the struggle at the top of the order.
How Has Rohit’s Absence Impacted MI?
Rohit’s missing presence has created a notable gap in MI’s batting lineup. Even though he hasn’t played in several games, he remains the team’s fourth-highest run-scorer this season, with 137 runs at an average of 45.66 and a strike rate of 165. This clearly shows how vital he has been for the team.
Without Rohit, MI has struggled with stability and aggression during the early overs. The frequent changes in the opening spots have added pressure on the middle order, making their task even harder.
With Hardik suggesting that Rohit might miss a few more games, uncertainty looms. For MI, the pressing concern is not only about when he will be back but also whether they can keep their season on track until then.
